Rosa plant named ‘Chewpearl’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Rosa plant named ‘Chewpearl’ that is characterized by upright, columnar growth habit, small glossy, dark green leaves, small satin-pink flowers and a long blooming period. In combination these traits set ‘Chewpearl’ apart from all other existing varieties of Rosa known to the inventor.

Genus: Rosa.

Species: ×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘Chewpearl’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of roseplant botanically known as Rosa and hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name ‘Chewpearl’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program begun in 1982 bythe inventor in a cultivated area of Shropshire, England. The breedingprogram is aimed at developing a new class of disease resistant patioand upright, columnar rose plants with a wide range of flower colors.

‘Chewpearl’ is a hybrid seedling that originated from the inducedhybridization of the female or seed parent Rosa ‘LAURA FORD’ [CHEWARVEL](U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,012) and the male or pollen parent Rosa‘Congratulations’ [KORLIFT] (unpatented). The new cultivar ‘Chewpearl’was selected by the inventor in 1992 as a plant within the progeny ofthe stated cross in a controlled environment of Shropshire, England.‘Chewpearl’ is an upright, columnar rose with small dense, dark greenleaves and small fragrant satin-pink colored flowers, that contrastbrightly against the dark foliage. The recipient of the Bronze Award inthe 2001 Buenos Aires Rose Trials, ‘Chewpearl’ is consistently freeflowering, forming a continuous column of color from late spring toearly winter.

The closest comparison plant is Rosa ‘LAURA FORD’ which exhibits yellowflowers. ‘Chewpearl’ is distinguishable from ‘LAURA FORD’ by flowercolor and darker green foliage. ‘Chewpearl’ differs from the male parent‘Congratulations’ in height and size of flowers. ‘Congratulations’ istaller in height and exhibits large flowers.

Asexual reproduction was accomplished by the inventor in Shropshire,England in 1992 using softwood cuttings. Since that time, under carefulobservation, the unique characteristics of the new rose cultivar havebeen uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. In addition to softwood cuttings‘Chewpearl’ can be asexually propagated using micro propagation andbudding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newRosa cultivar ‘Chewpearl’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Chewpearl’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from all other existingvarieties of Rosa known to the inventor. ‘Chewpearl’ has not been testedunder all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observedwith variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions,however, without any variance in genotype.

1. Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ exhibits small satin-pink flowers

2. Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ exhibits an upright, columnar growth habit.

3. Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ is free flowering, blooming from late spring untilthe first frost.

4. An individual flower exhibited on Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ lasts 6-10 days onthe plant.

5. Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ exhibits small glossy, dark green leaves.

6. Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ roots well from cuttings, micro propagation andbudding.

7. Rosa ‘Chewpearl’ is hardy to minus 12° Centigrade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew plant variety of Rosa named ‘Chewpearl’ showing the colors as trueas it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited inthe detailed botanical description which more accurately describe theactual colors of the new variety ‘Chewpearl’.

The plants illustrated on sheet 1 are three-year-old budded rose plantsfield grown in Shropshire, England.

The drawing on sheet 1 illustrates the entire plants in full bloom.

The drawing on sheet 2 is a close-up view of the flowers on an8-month-old plant in a 1-liter container. The drawings were made usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possibleby conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Rosa cultivar named‘Chewpearl’. Data was collected from 4-inch container plants and 1-litercontainer plants grown indoors in Arroyo Grande, Calif. The colordeterminations are in accordance with The 2001 Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart of The Royal Horticulatural Society, London,England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. Growing requirements are similar to the species.

Botanical classification: Rosa ‘Chewpearl’.

Species: ×hybrida.

Commercial classification: Shrub.

Common name: Rose.

Recommended container size: 1-liter.

Type: Perennial.

Use: Garden border, Container.

Parentage: ‘Chewpearl’ is a hybrid plant that resulted from the inducedhybridization of the following parent plants:

Female parent.—Rosa ‘LAURA FORD’ [CHEWARVEL] (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,012).

Male parent.—Rosa ‘Congratulations’ [KORLIFT] (unpatented).

Vigor: Very Vigorous.

Growth habit: Upright and columnar.

Plant shape: Rectangular to columnar.

Height (at maturity): 2.5 meters in height at maturity.

Width (at maturity): 1 meter in width at maturity.

Hardiness: Hardy to minus 12° Centigrade.

Propagation: Cuttings, micro propagation and budding.

Time to initiate roots: Approximately 21 days are required to produceroots on an initial cutting.

Crop time: Approximately 8 months are needed to achieve a finished1-liter plant in flower from an un-rooted cutting.

Root system: Fibrous.

Light: Plant in full sun.

Soil: Plant in moist but well drained soil.

Seasonal interest: Satin-pink flowers from late spring to first frost.

Disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: None observed to date.

Stem:

Branching habit.—Basal.

Stem strength.—Strong and pliable.

Mature stem color.—N77A.

Immature stem color.—Colors N77A and 144A are both present on anindividual stem.

Anthocyanic coloring (stem).—None observed to date.

Immature stem shape.—Cylindrical.

Mature stem dimensions.—20-62 cm. in length and 4 mm. in width.

Immature stem dimensions.—6 cm. in length and 2 mm. in width.

Mature stem shape.—Cylindrical.

Immature stem surface.—Glabrous.

Mature stem surface.—Rugose.

Internode length.—1.50 cm. between nodes.

Quantity of thorns (immature and mature).—Small amount.

Immature thorn dimensions.—3-5 mm. in length and 0.50 mm. in width andbase near stem is 1.50 mm.

Immature thorn shape.—Slightly curved.

Immature thorn color.—Thorns that are 144A and thorns that are 182C areboth present on an individual stem.

Mature thorn shape.—Curved.

Mature thorn dimensions.—1.5 cm. in length and 0.50 cm. in width.

Mature thorn color.—198D.

Foliage:

Type.—Deciduous.

Arrangement.—Alternate.

Leaf shape.—Oval.

Vein pattern.—Pinnate.

Vein color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—N77A.

Leaf margins.—Serrate.

Leaf division.—Simple.

Appearance.—Glossy.

Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—Closest to 131A.

Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—137B.

Immature leaf color (abaxial surface).—Surface color is 144A and marginsare 185A.

Immature leaf color (adaxial surface).—Surface color is 137B and marginsare 185A.

Anthocyanic coloring (leaves).—None observed to date.

Mature and immature leaf surfaces (adaxial surface).—Glabrous.

Mature and immature leaf surfaces (abaxial surface).—Slightly pubescent.

Stipule color (immature).—137B with edges that are 185A.

Stipule color (mature).—185A.

Stipule dimensions (immature).—0.25 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in width.

Stipule dimensions (mature).—1.50 cm. in length and 0.50 cm. in width.

Mature leaf dimensions.—Mature leaves are an average of 2.50 cm. inwidth and 2.50-3.50 cm. in length.

Immature leaf dimensions.—Immature leaves are an average of 1 cm. inwidth and 2 cm. in length.

Leaf apex.—Acuminate.

Leaf base.—Rounded.

Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.

Petiole shape.—Sulcate.

Petiole dimensions.—9 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. in width.

Petiole color (immature).—Colors 144A and 183A are both individuallypresent on immature petioles.

Petiole color (mature).—N77A.

Petiole surface.—Pubescent.

Flower:

Number of flowers per flowering stem.—3-5.

Flower arrangement.—Corymb.

Flower type.—Double.

Flowering habit.—Continuous.

Flowering season.—Late spring to first frost.

Lastingness of flower.—Individual flower lasts 6-10 days on plant.

Fragrance.—Moderately sweet fragrance.

Flower bud dimensions (sepals closed).—Average of 1.50-1.75 cm. inlength and 1.50-1.75 cm. in width.

Flower bud shape.—Obovate.

Bud color (when sepals have divided).—52B.

Petal color (adaxial surfaces).—Closest to 49D when flower is fullyopened.

Petal color (abaxial surfaces).—Closest to 49D when flower is fullyopened.

Basal spot color (adaxial surfaces).—11D.

Basal spot color (abaxial surfaces).—11D.

Petal color of adaxial surfaces (when flower is opening).—49A.

Petal color of abaxial surfaces (when flower is opening).—49A.

Petal surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Lustrous.

Petal margins.—Entire.

Petal apex.—Obtuse.

Petal base.—Acute.

Petal shape.—Closest to Obdeltoid.

Petal dimensions.—Average of 2.50 cm. in width and 2.50 cm. in length.

Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.

Petal texture.—Firm and glabrous.

Number of petals.—20-50 in number.

Flower dimensions.—4 cm. in diameter and 1.50-2 cm. in depth.

Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.

Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.

Peduncle dimensions.—5 cm. in length and 2 mm. in width.

Peduncle color.—N77A.

Anthocyanic coloring (peduncle).—None observed to date.

Peduncle surface.—Rugose.

Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.

Sepals.—Five in number.

Sepal shape.—Gladiate.

Sepal margin.—Entire.

Sepal dimensions.—0.75 cm. in width and 1.75 cm. in length.

Sepal color (adaxial surfaces).—Colors range from both 144A and N77Apresent on an individual sepal when tightly closed, to both 128C and128D present on an individual sepal when fully open.

Sepal color (abaxial surface).—Colors range from both 144A and N77Apresent when tightly closed to 128C and 128D when fully open.

Anthocyanic coloring (sepals).—None observed to date.

Sepal surfaces (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Pubescent.

Sepal apex.—Cirrose.

Sepal base.—Truncate.

Reproductive organs:

Stamen.—40-100 in whorl.

Stamen shape.—Filament.

Stamen color.—49D.

Stamen dimensions.—8 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. in width.

Anther dimensions.—1 mm. in length and 0.75 mm. in width.

Anther shape.—Oval.

Anther color.—165B.

Pollen color.—165B.

Amount of pollen.—Moderate amount.

Pistil.—One made up of 10-15 united filaments.

Pistil dimensions.—7 mm. in length and 3 mm. in width.

Pistil color.—N34A.

Pistil shape.—Columnar.

Style dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 3 mm. in width.

Style color.—N34A.

Style.—10-15 free filaments united at base into one column.

Style shape.—Columnar.

Stigma.—10-15.

Stigma shape.—Oval.

Stigma color.—N34A.

Stigma dimensions.—Together the stigmas are 4 mm. in diameter and 0.75mm. in length. Individually each is less than 0.50 mm. in diameter.

Ovary position.—Inferior.

Ovary color.—144C.

Ovary.—Many in number.

Ovary dimensions.—Less than 1.50 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm. indiameter.

Ovary shape.—Oval.

Receptacle shape.—Closest to globular.

Receptacle surface.—Pubescent.

Receptacle color.—144A.

Receptacle dimensions.—0.75 cm. in length and 1 cm. in width.

Seed production:

Quantity of seed.—50-100 or more in number.

Shape of seed.—Closest to rectangular in shape.

Color of seed.—Both colors 199D and 200A are present on each individualseed.

Dimensions of seed.—1 mm. in length and 0.75 mm. in width.

Hip dimensions.—19 mm in length and 18 mm in width.

Shape of hip.—Closest to globular.

Hip surface.—Pubescent.

Hip color.—200A.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rosa plant named ‘Chewpearl’,as described and illustrated.